Solar panel or generator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deedee
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Deedee

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Just after some opinions from those in the know, which is more useful for running the basics in the van , solar panels of generators?
 
Solar for summer, for winter genarator, or battery to battery charger .Solar is very poor in winter ,In winter I use about 18 amps a day blown air heater 24 hours , 6 hours TV 3 nights on 100 amp battery .
 
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Unless you are running heavy loads.... solar and a decent split charge with enough leisure batteries for your needs.

We run a microwave/toaster/kettle/slow cooker via a 3000w inverter charged by 2 X 100w solar panels and a Durite voltage sensing split charge relay with no issues.
 
Solar panals as many as you can fit and enough batteries.
if your going down the genny route please inform us where your going so I can avoid lol
 
Depends what kind of camping you do.
Stealth, or wildcamping near other people, is a no no.
If you disturb my beauty sleep, just so you can watch telly, you'll not be appreciated.
 
mistericeman said:
Unless you are running heavy loads.... solar and a decent split charge with enough leisure batteries for your needs.

We run a microwave/toaster/kettle/slow cooker via a 3000w inverter charged by 2 X 100w solar panels and a Durite voltage sensing split charge relay with no issues.
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3kw?
If you're going to any of the meets I'll park up next to you.. For a hook up !
 
Depends

I've never needed a generator before I fitted a solar panel when battery's where getting low I moved on driving for a couple of hrs topped them up again, Now with a 100w solar panel 200ah of battery's I just did 4 mths in Portugal and never needed to move at all. So can't see any need for a generator and it's anti social noise
 
Solar suits our needs very well, but there are full timers like NZ who use a genny successfully. Horses for courses I think.
 
Solar is preferable and far more sociable however there are people with mobility scooters that need them charging so have to use a generator
 
Aire in Spain near a MH with generator .. They were stuck inside with all the windows shut and the blinds down. 33 Degrees and they had the aircon on. Totally anti-social. If you have to run a generator make sure know one else has to listen to the racket.
 
Solar Panels

I use a portable suitcase Solar panels which can be taken with you if you change units.

Dave
 
'Just' after opinion! Start a thread on this subject and two phrases come to mind, 'can of worms' and 'how long's a piece of string'.
First you need to establish what are 'the basics', then when you are going to use van, then how long you will stay in one place.
Not so long ago few people used either, even now when we are moving everyday it's debatable if we need any extra power above the alternator.
From now to autumn solar should be capable of supplying your needs and for us it's a fit and forget item. Come winter it's a bit tricky and your own experience will have to tell you, but you needn't worry too much over it as if it comes to it you can always start the engine.
 
colinmd said:
'Just' after opinion! Start a thread on this subject and two phrases come to mind, 'can of worms' and 'how long's a piece of string'.
First you need to establish what are 'the basics', then when you are going to use van, then how long you will stay in one place.
Not so long ago few people used either, even now when we are moving everyday it's debatable if we need any extra power above the alternator.
From now to autumn solar should be capable of supplying your needs and for us it's a fit and forget item. Come winter it's a bit tricky and your own experience will have to tell you, but you needn't worry too much over it as if it comes to it you can always start the engine.
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I missed the start of this thread but "avail yourself of a tin hat " !

Possibly the most anti social behaviour between Motorhomers I witnessed was over a genny on the lovely stretch of road between Marseillan Plage and Sete ( lost )....A german chap poured sand in the fuel tank of a French chap who was running a genny !!!..TBH it dint bother me I could sleep through a nuclear war but clearly upset the German chap.

My own thoughts if you can go solar far better and quieter etc, and if you don't have a system you can set it up in such away you will be unlucky to get caught out unless providing power for blackpool and the illuminations. As much as we dislike them taking up space etc Gennys do play a role. Over the years and money aside the best seem to be Honda check hotrats out, He is selling a beauty a EU20i..brand new and never used...Depths of winter often solar is as much use as a chocolate fireguard so the genny comes into its own

Channa
 
As others have said depends on what 'basic' is and what sort of van you have. We run light, heat and recharging our phones/kindles and solar is enough for us winter and summer but we have a gas hob and don't have kettle, oven, microwave, tele or any heavy use stuff.
 
You will find that people will park further away if you have a generator, do you like solitude?
 
malagaoth said:
You will find that people will park further away if you have a generator, do you like solitude?
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Good point.... I might buy one then

This Morse should do the trick[video=youtube_share;q_0xifuTqVA]https://youtu.be/q_0xifuTqVA[/video]
 
There are such things as quiet generators. Its just most people tend to buy rubbish ones from places like tool mart. Ive got a little Honda ex650, which I believe is the quietest ever made. Cost me £100 2nd hand. You cant hear it from a distance. Of course if you are next to it or on a quiet site you can hear it. It gets drowned out by road noise, wind noise, birds tweeting etc at a distance. Of course this is WILD Camping so when you are out in the wild nobody is there to care. Having said all that Im getting some solar panels for the summer!
 
If you decide for the genarator make sure you add sugar to the fuel it makes them much quieter
 
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tin hat in place!

channa said:
I missed the start of this thread but "avail yourself of a tin hat " !

Possibly the most anti social behaviour between Motorhomers I witnessed was over a genny on the lovely stretch of road between Marseillan Plage and Sete ( lost )....A german chap poured sand in the fuel tank of a French chap who was running a genny !!!..TBH it dint bother me I could sleep through a nuclear war but clearly upset the German chap.

My own thoughts if you can go solar far better and quieter etc, and if you don't have a system you can set it up in such away you will be unlucky to get caught out unless providing power for blackpool and the illuminations. As much as we dislike them taking up space etc Gennys do play a role. Over the years and money aside the best seem to be Honda check hotrats out, He is selling a beauty a EU20i..brand new and never used...Depths of winter often solar is as much use as a chocolate fireguard so the genny comes into its own

Channa
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Certainly got some mixed reactions to that one didn't I! Appreciate all the honest answers though sort of left undecided still, will have to have another think about it
 
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